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Jack Ma, Founder of China behemoth e-commerce Alibaba, said technology exists for people (The Star Publication, 12 Oct 2017). So how will technology, particularly the aspects of computer science and information technology contribute further to the betterment of our lives? In fact, today, organisations depend on information technology and computer science professionals to create systems and networks that will securely process, transmit, store and exchange all forms of electronic data. Evidently, it has revolutionised the fabrics of society. Pranabesh Nath, Research Director of IDC Malaysia, mentioned that by 2021, at least 20% of Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) will be digitalised. (The Edge Market, Feb 2018)
This seems to be good news for those who are interested in pursuing a path in either Information Technology or Computer Science. A quick check: Are you curious, analytical, logical, like math, good in problem-solving and creative?
The School of Computing
Nilai University offers Diploma in Business Information Technology and Diploma in Computer Science, while both are internationally recognised the former programme offers students a balance of business knowledge and IT literacy to prepare them for a career in this sought after field. While the latter prepares students for the job market where they will be able to apply the skills and know-how to execute a wide range of services such as software analysis and management, database administration and design, programming as well as the web, multimedia and systems development.
The entry requirements for either diploma would be:
- SPM: 3Cs including Mathematics
- UEC: 3Bs including Mathematics
- STPM/ A Level: 1C and a credit in SPM Mathematics
- SKM/SKK/Certificate (MQF Level 3) in the related field - Pass and pass SPM with credit in SPM/ Mathematics
Academic Progression
Students will complete either of these diploma programmes is 2.5years. The Diploma in Business Information Technology and Diploma in Computer Science offered by Nilai University is equivalent to the first year of the 3 degrees listed below, and it allows students to enter directly into year 2 of the Bachelor’s Degree programmes. Students may select either of these 3 aspects as their area of speciality.
1) The Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) (Software Engineering) aims to provide students with a solid foundation of the concept and underlying principles of software engineering. The syllabus contains more software related courses and places greater emphasis on cultivating an understanding of and experience in the software process. This programme equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyse, design, develop, test and implement, evaluate, maintain and document a large scale software system. Software Engineering is a discipline of developing and maintaining software systems that behave reliably and efficiently, are affordable and designed to customers’ specifications.
Software engineers are expected to develop systematic models and reliable techniques for producing high-quality software on time and within a budget. The need for highly skilled software engineers is rapidly growing because of the ever-increasing demand in software development for IT capacity and services. It was predicted that by the year 2020, 50% of the companies would require talent related to software development (Digital Talent Report 2017 prepared by Frost & Sullivan, Growth Consulting)
2) Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) provides students with technical and creative thinking courses, stressing on skills development in the technical areas of computer hardware and software architecture, including the design of technological information and computing systems as solutions to business support.
In the ever-changing business landscape, IT professionals will use technology and existing operating systems, software and applications in tandem to create a more extensive system that solves a specific business problem. Most likely, they will interact with clients and co-workers outside of their department, explaining how to resolve technical issues or working with executives and business owners to develop a technology plan that meets specific business objectives.
3) Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) (Internet Engineering and Cloud Computing) emphasises on the concept and fundamental principles of internet engineering and cloud computing. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, design, implement, manage and maintain computer networking of cloud and internet and their security.
“Internet and cloud computing technologies are driving a fundamental shift in computing, making it accessible anytime and anywhere with a virtually infinite amount of computing power,” explained Puan Harlina, the Head of School of Computing. Also, cloud and big data are anticipated to record significant growth in the next few years, with a US$640.0 million projected value of cloud investments in Malaysia by 2020 (Malaysian Digest; Industry Reports; Frost & Sullivan).
Mohamad Nashan, a final year student in Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) (Internet Engineering and Cloud Computing) at Nilai University completed his Diploma in Business Information Technology and with his father’s encouragement, pursued his current field of studies. “I have always been curious about the underlying principles of the internet. Also, I think in the foreseeable future, all data will be migrated to cloud.”
Nashan’s findings of the future of cloud computing seem to resonate with the statement made by John-David Lovelock, Research Vice President at Gartner. In a statement, he shared that more enterprise will use cloud services instead of buying their own servers (NST Business Nov 2018).
“In the final year, undergraduate students are required to conduct research and submit their final year project where they will apply and develop innovative processes in areas of image processing, speech processing, data science, cloud computing, security, machine learning, game, and animation software tools, decision support systems, and networking. Also, final year students will undergo 16 weeks of internship,” informed Puan Harlina, the Head of School of Computing.
Mohamad Nashan applied the knowledge, skills, and exposure gained to create a programme which helps manage customers’ expectations for his father’s car furnishing and polishing enterprise. Being enterprising, he developed another system to manage his father’s employee’s payroll.
Catapulting students’ learning experience…
Besides organising talks by guest lecturers and industry engagement with MDEC, Oracle and CISCO, the School Of Computing also encourage students to take part in numerous workshops, competitions, seminars and conferences such as mobile programming, hacking workshop, ACA championship, a programming competition, and Kre8tif Conference.
“Students will also sit for enhanced certification; Adobe Java, Adobe Database, CCNA1, 2, 3, 4,” mentioned Puan Harlina.
“One can be certain that the presence of IT in our daily lives will continue to expand exponentially and this industry with continue to change very fast. So, it is important that students receive as much guidance and exposure while they are studying at Nilai University,” said Puan Harlina in an assuring note.
Puan Harlina adds that IT jobs are available in almost any industry, be it education, aviation, medicine, military, hospitality, tourism, finance, etc. More importantly, IT graduates will also have the know-how to be self-employed. There are still employment gaps to be filled in the IT industry, both locally and internationally. Malaysia is still not producing enough graduates to meet all demands.
Some of Nilai University’s School Of Computing graduates are establishing their careers with these companies; CTC Global Sdn Bhd, Datum Clearmind Sdn Bhd, Arvato System Malaysia, ASTRO, Infineon in Melaka, GITGE Equatorial in Guinea, AVI TECHNOLOGIES in the Maldives, and SriLankan Airlines.
Contact Nilai University
Should you require further information, please call Nilai University’s education counsellors at 06-850 2308 from 9:00 am till 5:00 pm on weekdays. Alternatively, click on Nilai University’s website at www.nilai.edu.my or visit the campus in Nilai. Intakes are available in April and May. Impressive scholarships up to 100% await, so tell your friends about it and enquire today!
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